massage

In this sprint of everyday living—and, let’s be honest, sometimes doing absolutely nothing makes you feel as exhausted as a long session on the treadmill—we are all stressed. Irrespective of age, class, or sex, stress is surely becoming part and parcel of our being.

Hot herbal compresses have a long history of use in Thailand and other parts of Southeast Asia. The earliest written records in Thailand are from the 14th century, when Siamese soldiers returning from battle were treated with compresses to ease their mental states and relax their bodies.

Many people associate massages with vacations or spas, and consider them something of a luxury. But research is beginning to suggest this ancient form of hands-on healing may be more than an indulgence—it may actually improve your health.

We all love a good rubdown. But beyond easing muscle tension and relieving sore spots, massage—even a single session—triggers beneficial biological changes, finds new research from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

A good friend of mine summed up back pain accurately and concisely: “I had it once and prayed to the heavens that it would never happen to me again.”
On my couch, flat on my back, ice pack covering my lower back, barely able to move without torment, I could relate.

One woman's mission to cure her aching back - without surgery or drugs.

Ever wonder what your body would feel like without tightness, pain, or stiffness? Or how it might be to sail—rather than stoop—your way through the day? Bodywork might hold the key to regaining your body’s natural elasticity, bringing you back into balance—and grace—in ways you never believed possible, at least not since you kissed your 30s good-bye.

For two years, Michelle Marcon suffered from constant pain because of a herniated disk in her lower back, arthritis in both hips, and bone spurs in her heels. After walking for only a couple of minutes, pain would shoot down the back of her legs, and her left foot would go numb. “My pain got so bad that I had to quit my job,” says the Chicago-area dog walker.

Adding complementary therapies to your treatment plan can both improve your prognosis and help you feel better. Integrative oncologists agree that when it comes to breast cancer, conventional therapies such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation may be unavoidable. But the following holistic strategies offer healing benefits.